Leafy Greens

Kale 'Black Magic' is an improved Italian Black Kale, bred to be more tender with better flavour. The winter hardy plants more cold tolerant, vigorous and slower-to-bolt than other Italian kales. They form an easy-to-harvest rosette of very dark, savoyed leaves with a flavour that is rich and mild.

Some years ago, we knew kale as a hearty winter meal, suddenly its popularity soared and ‘Kale Madness’ erupted. Now available in all manner of shapes, sizes and colours. 'Scarlet Curled' Kale is a highly attractive and ultra-hardy variety, the leaves intensify in colour turning to violet-red after a few frosts.

With deeply cut, slate green oak-like leaves ‘Red Russian’ is one of the tenderest and sweetest kales available. Sow under cover in autumn for baby leaves after four to six weeks, or directly outdoors for over-wintering. This hardy crop can provide nutritious leaves even in the depths of winter.

Kale 'F1 Oldenbor' is a frost resistant medium-tall variety with beautiful medium-green coloured, finely curled leaves. Disease resistant with uniform plant growth, it is unsurpassed for extra-mild, sweet Kale tang. Ultra-hardy, it is suitable for autumn and winter harvest. 28 days for baby kale; 60 days mature.

Good King Henry has been used as a vegetable for centuries and was once a common sight in every garden. Good King Henry may have lost his court and become something of a rarity today, but this unique herb has much to offer to the home or cottage gardener.

'Cornet de Bordeaux' is a very fine old French variety of endive that produces looser, wavier interior foliage that flares into a veritable cornet. The thick, buttery yellow leaves are very succulent and delicious, they have that special thick crunch of Italian endives, but with a sweeter flavour.

Corn Salad 'Verte de Cambrai' is a traditional old French variety, the compact plants have good colour and small leaf shape. It is among the softest and most tender of all greens, the leaves have a sweet buttery flavour which almost melt in the mouth.

Vit is an easy to grow, vigorous variety for spring and autumn crops. This French variety is mildew-resistant with long, oval, glossy green leaves which form a heavy bunch, They have a tender, delicate nutty, minty flavour. An excellent winter gap filler, both in the vegetable garden and at the dining table.

Instantly recognisable in Cantonese cuisine. Choy Sum 'Purple Stem' is an absolute fabulous vegetable. You use the whole plant: Flowers, buds, leaves and stems, and if allowed to mature and bolt, yellow flowers will shoot and the plant becomes sweeter and more succulent.

Choy Sum is one of the most popular vegetables in China and is now also widely used in the western world. With tender, delicious stems and flower buds, the flavour can be described as midway between cabbage and spinach. Choy Sum 'Gunsho' is a vigorous and productive 80 day type.

One of the most instantly recognisable vegetables in Cantonese cuisine. Choy Sum ‘Fuubi’ is one of the most uniform and productive, widely grown by the specialist producers of this crop. This slow flowering, late maturing variety is tolerant of low temperatures. It has good holding ability with deep green leaves and a quality stem that is smooth and fleshy.

‘Variegata di Castelfranco’ has a beautiful form with wavy leaves that are flecked with purple. It is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow at any time in the year. Traditionally sown in mid to late summer, the harvest begins in December and lasts well into winter.

The classic tall Italian radicchio. Upright with red and white striped leaves with large pure white stems. Highly prized, this flavoursome early variety is grown in the Treviso area in winter and is eaten, root and all, simply pan fried or grilled. It has high resistance to cold.

Famous for the forced, blanched heads or ‘chichons’ that are loved by gourmets Chicory 'Brussels Witloof' is the traditional finely-textured variety used for forcing. With a delicious, tangy, unique flavour, it is very easy to grow and produces one of the finest tasting winter vegetables.